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Austin: United move was never an option

Charlie Austin: Remains at QPR at least for the first half of the season

Charlie Austin has revealed he turned down a move to one Premier League club but says a switch to Manchester United “was never on the cards”.

The QPR striker remains at Loftus Road, despite being linked with a host of clubs in the top flight. Bournemouth and Leicester had offers rejected by the relegated Rs, while West Ham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle were credited with an interest.

The 26-year-old was linked in some reports to Chelsea and Manchester United but Austin admits a move to Old Trafford was never an option.

The QPR striker was linked with a move to Old Trafford ahead of the transfer deadline, but insisted it was never a likely option.

“No, that was never on the cards,” he told Talksport. “Not that I was aware of.”

Austin, who has only one year remaining on his contract at Loftus Road, admits he did reject the opportunity to move to one Premier League club.

“I turned down a move which wasn’t right for me and my family,” he added.

“I didn’t feel it was right for me to go, so I stayed at QPR.

The centre-forward acknowledges that playing his football in the Championship – at least for the first half of the season – will hamper his England prospects.

Austin was called up for the friendly against Republic of Ireland in the summer but omitted from the squad for the recent Euro 2016 qualifcation double header.

“I have had no contact [from Roy Hodgson] but that was not really expected,” he said.

“I knew what my chances were of getting in the England squad when I stayed in the Championship. There are others players doing it week in, week out in the Premier League.

“It is something I have had to take on board with my decision in the last three weeks.

“For me now, I am getting my head down and that is at the back of my mind. I try to score as many goals as I can and perform to the best of my ability and help QPR achieve our goal, which is promotion come May.”